U.S. patent application number 12/544245 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-25 for bearing mount for a worm guide bar.
This patent application is currently assigned to POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG. Invention is credited to Gunter Kessler.
Application Number | 20100046865 12/544245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41259226 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100046865 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kessler; Gunter |
February 25, 2010 |
BEARING MOUNT FOR A WORM GUIDE BAR
Abstract
A device for transferring sausage-shaped products, carried out
of a clipping machine and provided with loop-shaped suspension
elements, to a product receiving element, said device containing: a
guide bar along which the suspension elements can be guided in the
direction of transport by means of conveyor elements, and a front
and a rear bearing assembly for the guide bar, the bearing
assemblies having a right-hand and a left-hand bearing unit that
are each disposed in pairs laterally from the guide bar. It is
further provided that the front and rear bearing assemblies form
drivable positive guidance mechanisms for the suspension
elements.
Inventors: |
Kessler; Gunter;
(Frankfurt/Main, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HAHN LOESER & PARKS, LLP
One GOJO Plaza, Suite 300
AKRON
OH
44311-1076
US
|
Assignee: |
POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO.
KG
Frankfurt/Main
DE
|
Family ID: |
41259226 |
Appl. No.: |
12/544245 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
384/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A22C 15/002
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
384/45 |
International
Class: |
F16C 29/06 20060101
F16C029/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 21, 2008 |
DE |
102008039154.9-22 |
Claims
1. A device for transferring sausage-shaped products that are
carried out of a clipping machine and provided with loop-shaped
suspension elements, to a product receiving element, the device
comprising: a guide bar along which the suspension elements are
guided in a direction of transport by conveyor elements; front and
rear bearing assemblies for the guide bar, the bearing assemblies
having a right-hand and a left-hand bearing unit in each case are
disposed in pairs laterally from the guide bar; the front and the
rear bearing assemblies form drivable positive guidance mechanisms
for the suspension elements; the right-hand and left-hand bearing
units of the front and rear bearing assemblies each have at least
one support bearing element and two counter bearing elements; the
support bearing element of one bearing unit is formed by a drivable
support shaft, the axis of which extends substantially parallel to
the direction of transport; the support bearing elements of the two
right-hand and of the two left-hand bearing units of the front and
rear bearing assemblies are each formed by a common support
shaft.
2. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the positive guidance
mechanism for the suspension elements is formed by a guide gap
defined between mutually contacting and rotating bearing elements
of the bearing units.
3. The transfer device of claim 2, wherein at least the mutually
contacting surface sections of the bearing elements of the bearing
units have a high friction coefficient at least in sections
thereof.
4. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein at least one part of the
bearing elements of the bearing units is provided at its outer
circumference with at least one circumferential groove extending in
the form of a thread in the direction of transport.
5. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the central longitudinal
axis of the support bearing element and the central longitudinal
axis of the two counter bearing elements of a bearing unit are
arranged in relation to one another in such a way that, when viewed
in a plane perpendicular to the direction of transport, they span a
triangle.
6. The transfer device of claim 5, wherein the two counter bearing
elements of a bearing unit are arranged one above the other, when
viewed in a plane perpendicular to the direction of transport.
7. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the counter bearing
elements of a bearing unit are formed by counter bearing shafts
which rotate about their central longitudinal axis.
8. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the axes of the counter
bearing shafts extend substantially parallel to the direction of
transport.
9. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the support bearing
element is disposed laterally from and between the two counter
bearing elements, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the
direction of transport.
10. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the support shafts of
the right-hand and left-hand bearing units are driven synchronously
and in opposite directions by a preferably common drive unit.
11. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the support bearing
element of a bearing unit has a convex protuberance or a concave
recess at its outer circumference.
12. The transfer device of claim 11, wherein the counter bearing
element of a bearing unit is provided at its outer circumference
with a configuration in the form of a concave recess or convex
protuberance corresponding to the convex protuberance or to the
concave recess of the support bearing element and mutually engaging
therewith.
13. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the first and the
second bearing units are arranged opposite one another on side
surfaces of the guide bar.
14. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the guide bar is a beam
with preferably rectangular cross-section.
15. The transfer device of claim 14, wherein the front and the rear
bearing assemblies each engage two side surfaces of the beam.
16. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the guide bar is
provided with recesses positioned one after the other in the
direction of transport on both sides of the guide bar.
17. The transfer device of claim 16, wherein the recesses are
arranged transversely to the direction of transport and opposite
one another on the side surfaces of the guide bar.
18. The transfer device of claim 16, wherein the at least two
counter bearing elements of a bearing unit are each disposed inside
one recess of the guide bar.
19. The transfer device of claim 17, wherein the counter bearing
element extends over the entire length of the recess.
20. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the guide bar has at
least one groove on its upper side and extending over its entire
length.
21. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the guide bar has
receiving means at its ends for connecting additional devices.
22. The transfer device of claim 1, wherein the two counter bearing
elements of a bearing unit are arranged one above the other, when
viewed in a plane perpendicular to the direction of transport.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a transfer. In particular, the
invention relates to a device for transferring sausage-shaped
products, that are carried out of a clipping machine and provided
with loop-shaped suspension elements, to a product receiving
element, the device comprising a guide bar along which the
suspension elements can be guided in the direction of transport by
means of conveyor elements, and further comprising front and rear
bearing assemblies for the guide that, in each case, are disposed
in pairs laterally from the guide bar.
[0002] It is known, in practice, that when producing sausage-shaped
products, which may be sausage products filled with sausage meat,
or other sausage-shaped products filled with liquid, pasty or
granular material, such as sealing compound, etc., the filling
material is fed by a filling machine via a filling tube to a
clipping machine. In the clipping machine, the filling material is
stuffed into a tubular casing material, which is closed at one end
by a first clip, and the open end of the tubular casing material is
subsequently closed by placing a second clip. If the resultant
sausage-shaped product is to be suspended for further processing
from a product receiving element, such as a smoking rod, a
suspension element, in most cases a thread loop, is preferably
inserted into the second clip and fixed to the sausage-shaped
product by means of the second clip. The sausage-shaped product is
subsequently carried out of the clipping machine by means of a
transport device and strung with other sausage products in rows on
the receiver rods in order to be further processed.
[0003] A device of the kind specified at the outset is known from
German patent specification DE 38 06 467. In order to transfer
sausage-shaped product, carried out of the clipping machine and
provided with loop-shaped suspension elements, to a smoking rod,
the loops of the sausage-shaped products are guided in the device
over a guide bar. The guide bar has piston/cylinder arrangements
disposed as supports laterally adjacent to the guide bar, which are
arranged one after the other in the direction of transport of the
sausage-shaped products on both sides of the guide bar, but offset
in relation to each other. The pistons are moved horizontally
towards the guide bar at an approximately right angle to the
longitudinal extension of the guide bar, engage in recesses in the
guide bar and in this way hold the latter in the desired position.
If the loop of a sausage is moved over the guide bar, the cylinders
are made to disengage from the guide bar one after the other in the
respective sequence, in order to re-engage with the guide bar
immediately after the loop has passed.
[0004] To ensure trouble free functioning of the bearing mount for
the guide bar, the previously known transfer device requires a
complex control mechanism, which ensures that sufficient pistons
engage at all times with the guide bar, so that the latter is
securely held in the correct position. Furthermore, the speed of
piston movement cannot be increased at will, firstly due to the
inertia of the components, but also for safety reasons, because
when the speed of the pistons moving back and forth is too high, it
can no longer be ensured that the guide bar can still be held
securely in position.
[0005] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a
transfer device of the kind initially specified that makes transfer
of the products being transferred more reliable even at higher
transport speeds.
[0006] More particularly, a device is proposed for transferring
sausage-shaped products, carried out of a clipping machine and
provided with loop-shaped suspension elements, to a product
receiving element, in order to achieve the aforesaid object. The
transfer device contains a guide bar along which the suspension
elements can be guided in the direction of transport by means of
conveyor elements, as well as one front and one rear bearing
assembly for the guide bar, said assemblies each having a
right-hand and a left-hand bearing unit disposed in pairs laterally
from the guide bar. The front and rear bearing assemblies form
drivable positive guidance mechanisms for the suspension elements.
In this way, the guide bar can be held securely in position even at
higher transport speeds, while simultaneously guaranteeing that
further transport of the suspension elements is very reliable.
[0007] To ensure further transport of the suspension elements, it
is advantageous when the positive guidance mechanism for the
suspension elements is formed by a guide gap defined between
mutually contacting and rotating bearing elements of the bearing
units. The guide gap may extend in the axial direction, that is to
say, in the direction of transport of the suspension elements,
along the mutually contacting surfaces of the rotating bearing
elements.
[0008] It is also advantageous in this regard when at least the
mutually contacting surface sections of the bearing elements of the
bearing units have a high friction coefficient at least in sections
thereof. This means that it suffices if only one of the rotating
bearing elements is driven. A suitable friction coefficient can be
achieved by selecting the material and the surface characteristics
of the bearing elements accordingly. One way of achieving this is
to provide an elastic surface, for example by applying a rubber
coating.
[0009] It is also preferred that at least one part of the bearing
elements of the bearing units be provided at its outer
circumference with at least one circumferential groove extending in
the form of a thread in the direction of transport. In this case,
the groove forms a circumferential thread-shaped guide gap in which
the suspension element, such as a thread loop, can be securely
guided and further transported. In this region of the transfer
device, any additional transport device would also be unnecessary.
Such a region is likewise suitable as a transfer region, for
example between two transport devices connected downstream one
after the other, or between a transport device and a device
connected downstream therefrom.
[0010] In the transfer device according to one embodiment of the
invention, it may also be provided that the right-hand and
left-hand bearing units of the front and rear bearing assemblies
each have at least one support bearing element and two counter
bearing elements, wherein the central longitudinal axis of the
support bearing element and the central longitudinal axis of the
two counter bearing elements of a bearing unit are arranged in
relation to one another in such a way that, when viewed in a plane
perpendicular to the direction of transport, they span a triangle.
The two counter bearing elements of a bearing unit may be arranged
one above the other, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the
direction of transport.
[0011] By means of the arrangement of the support bearing element
and the counter bearing element as described above, the support
bearing element is in at least approximately linear contact with
the two counter bearing elements at all times, thus providing
reliable support and bearings for the guide bar. Any rotation of
the guide bar about its longitudinal axis and any displacement in
the direction of transport is effectively prevented.
[0012] The elements of the bearing units may be configured in many
different ways. In one particularly advantageous embodiment, the
counter bearing elements of a bearing unit are formed by counter
bearing shafts that are rotatable about their central longitudinal
axis, and whose axes preferably extend substantially parallel to
the direction of transport.
[0013] The support bearing element of a bearing unit may be
disposed laterally from and between the two counter bearing
elements, when viewed in a plane perpendicular to the direction of
transport. It may be formed by a drivable support shaft, the axis
of which preferably extends substantially parallel to the direction
of transport.
[0014] In another advantageous embodiment, the support bearing
elements of the two right-hand and/or of the two left-hand bearing
units of the front and rear bearing assemblies are formed by a
common support shaft. This simplifies construction of the bearing
units and of the drive for the support shaft elements.
[0015] It may be preferable here that the support shafts of the
right-hand and left-hand bearing units are driven synchronously and
in opposite directions by a preferably common drive unit. A common
drive unit simplifies control, for example of the drive speed.
Driving the support shafts in contrary directions prevents any
canting or jamming of the guide bar between the bearing units.
[0016] In one particularly preferred configuration of the bearing
units, the support bearing element of a bearing unit may have a
convex protuberance or a concave recess at its outer circumference.
The counter bearing elements of a bearing unit may then be provided
at their outer circumference with a configuration in the form of a
concave recess or convex protuberance corresponding to the convex
protuberance or to the concave recess of the support bearing
element and mutually engaging therewith.
[0017] This mutual engagement of the concave recesses and convex
protuberances of the support bearing element and the counter
bearing element guarantees that the guide bar is securely held in
place. These matching shapes prevent any shifting of the guide bar
in its axial direction and also forms a centering means with which
the position of the guide bar can be precisely defined.
[0018] The bearing assemblies may each contain bearing units that
are advantageously disposed opposite one another on the side
surfaces of the guide bar. In another preferred embodiment, the
guide bar may be formed by a beam of preferably substantially
rectangular cross-section, wherein a front bearing assembly of the
beam may be disposed in the front region of the guide bar, in
relation to the direction of transport, and, spaced apart
therefrom, a rear bearing assembly may be disposed in the rear
region of the guide bar, in relation to the direction of transport.
The planar surfaces of the beam facilitate the lateral arrangement
of bearing elements. Providing a groove for engagement of the hook
elements is also simplified by a planar top side.
[0019] Engagement of the front and the rear bearing assemblies at
the two respective side surfaces of the guide bar can ensure that
the regions above and below the guide bar remain free for the
sausage-shaped products to be transported, and/or for the
hook-shaped transfer element.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the counter
bearing elements of the right-hand and left-hand bearing units may
be disposed inside the guide bar. It is advantageous when, in the
region of the front and rear bearing assemblies as viewed in the
direction of transport, the guide bar has successive, preferably
substantially rectangular recesses that are also disposed
preferably opposite one another on the side surfaces on either side
of the guide bar, and in which the counter bearing elements are
also preferably disposed. The counter bearing elements may also
extend advantageously over the entire length of the rectangular
recesses. Disposing the counter bearing elements in the recesses of
the guide bar prevents components from protruding, which would
obstruct transport of the suspension elements.
[0021] Due to the guide bar having at least one groove on its top
side and extending over the entire length of the guide bar, a
hook-shaped transfer element guided over the guide bar may engage,
as a conveyor element for the sausage-shaped products, in the
groove and grip the product securely at its loop-shaped suspension
element.
[0022] It is advantageous when the guide bar has receiving means at
its ends for connecting additional devices. By means of such
receiving means, the transfer device according to the invention can
be integrated in suitable suspension lines. Secure connection of
additional devices can also be achieved with such receiving means,
thus increasing process reliability.
[0023] Other advantageous configurations and an embodiment of the
invention shall now be described with reference to the description
of an embodiment and to the attached drawings. The terms "top",
"bottom", "left" and "right" used when describing the embodiment
relate to the drawings oriented in such a way that the reference
signs and names of the figures can be read normally.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective, schematic view of the transfer
device according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view through a bearing
assembly provided on the transfer device shown in FIG. 1;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a horizontal, schematic partial cross-sectional
view of a bearing assembly of the transfer device shown in FIG.
2;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the drive unit of the drivable
positive guidance mechanism of the transfer device shown in FIG. 1;
and
[0028] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a possible attachment for
the transfer device shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] FIG. 1 shows a perspective, schematic view of the inventive
transfer device U. The transfer device has as its main components a
guide bar 10, as well as a front and a rear bearing assembly VL,
HL. Along guide bar 10, sausage-shaped products suspended on
suspension loops (not shown) can be transported in conveying
direction T by means of conveyor elements (not shown). Front and
rear bearing assemblies VL, HL are used as a floating mount for
guide bar 10, such that transport of the sausage-shaped products is
not obstructed.
[0030] Guide bar 10 has a substantially rectangular cross-section
and extends in a horizontal direction. In the embodiment shown, the
side edges of the rectangular cross-section of guide bar 10 are
longer than its top and bottom edges. Guide bar 10 is made of a
metal, for example aluminum. However, it may also be made of
plastic or a stainless steel, according to the chosen
application.
[0031] On the top side 10a of guide bar 10, two grooves 14 that
likewise have a rectangular cross-section extend parallel to each
other and to the central longitudinal axis (not shown) of guide bar
10. The spaced apart grooves 14 are arranged symmetrically on the
top side 10a of guide bar 10, i.e., grooves 14 are equidistant from
side surfaces 10b.
[0032] Guide bar 10 also has four rectangular recesses 16, two of
which being disposed opposite one another on either side surface
10b of guide bar 10 near end faces 10c, 10d thereof. In FIG. 1, all
that can be seen is one recess 16 on the right-hand side surface
10b visible in FIG. 1.
[0033] The left-hand and right-hand bearing units 30, 34; 40, 42 of
the front and rear bearing assemblies VL, HL are identical in
structure, so the right-hand bearing unit 30, 34; 40, 42 of front
bearing assembly VL shall be described in the following as
representative for all other bearing units. It essentially contains
a support bearing element 30, 34 and a counter bearing element 40,
42. Support bearing element 30, 34 is formed by a support shaft 30
and protuberance 34.
[0034] In a center plane extending horizontally through guide bar
10, as well as alongside guide bar 10 and parallel thereto on the
right and left, support shafts 30 are disposed equidistant from
guide bar 10. Support shafts 30 can be rotated in the region of
their ends in bearing mounts 31, 32 and are held in an axially
non-displaceable manner. Bearing mounts 31, 32 are formed of ball
bearings or the like that are known per se and which are
accommodated in corresponding bearing shells. Bearing mounts 31, 32
likewise have adjustment elements (not shown) for adjusting the
bearing clearance and for accurate orientation of support shafts 30
in relation to guide bar 10. Bearing mounts 31, 32 are supported on
a machine frame (not shown). The rear end of support shaft 30,
which is not visible in FIG. 1, projects from bearing mount 32 and
has a receiving means for a drive element Z2 (shown in FIG. 4),
such as a gear wheel or a pulley, by means of which a torque can be
transferred to support shaft 30, and as described in further detail
with reference to FIG. 4. This receiving means can be realized by a
groove for a tongue and groove connection or other known shaft-hub
connections.
[0035] As can also be seen in FIGS. 1 and FIG. 3, support shaft 30
has at its middle protuberances or bulges 34 that have a convex
outer surface. Grooves 36 are disposed in the form of a thread on
the surface of protuberances 34 and extend in the direction of
transport T. Instead of the thread-shaped grooves, ribs that
likewise extend in the form of a thread may be provided.
[0036] The distance of support shaft 30 from guide bar 10, and the
shape, diameter and position of protuberances 34 on support shaft
30 are chosen in such a way that protuberances 34 engage in the
rectangular recesses 16 in guide bar 10. They come into contact
only with the two counter bearing elements 40 disposed in recesses
16 of guide bar 10, which will be described in more detail with
reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0037] These protuberances 34 can be produced in one piece with
support shaft 30. However, they can also be produced as separate
components and mounted on support shaft 30 using suitable fixing
means. In the latter case, protuberances 34 can subsequently be
axially aligned on support shaft 30 by axial displacement.
[0038] The direction of rotation of support shafts 30 is marked
with an "R". As can be seen in FIG. 1, the two support shafts 30
rotate in opposite directions. The thread grooves disposed on the
surface of the protuberances 34 extend in the same direction on the
protuberances 34 of one support shaft 30 and in opposite directions
on the protuberances 34 arranged opposite one another. By virtue of
this orientation of thread grooves 36 on protuberances 34, a loop
around guide bar 10 is transported in the direction of transport T
when passing bearing assemblies VL, HL.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the right-hand support shaft 30 rotates
clockwise, whereas the left-hand shaft 30 rotates anti-clockwise.
Due to these preferred rotational directions of support shafts 30,
a force acting vertically upwards on guide bar 10 is generated,
which counteracts the weight force of the sausage-shaped products
suspended by their suspension elements on guide bar 10 and, which
prevents any wedging of guide bar 10 between bearing assemblies VL,
HL. Of course, it is also possible to choose any other directions
of rotation than those shown, since the design of bearing
assemblies VL, VH guarantees reliable operation.
[0040] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section through one of the two
identical bearing assemblies VL, VH of guide bar 10 in a plane
perpendicular to support shaft 30. In guide bar 10, the rectangular
recesses 16 opposite one another are arranged symmetrically to one
another. They are vertically aligned in the middle of the guide bar
and extend from side surfaces 10b into the interior of guide bar
10. Recesses 16 are separated from each other by a web 18 that runs
perpendicularly through the middle of guide bar 10.
[0041] In each recess 16, two counter bearing elements 40 in the
form of rotatable counter bearing shafts are disposed. They extend
axially parallel to support shaft 30 and are aligned vertically one
above the other. They are also vertically equidistant from a
notional plane through support shafts 30. Due to this arrangement
of counter bearing elements 40, protuberance 34 contacts both
counter bearing elements 40 of a recess 16 at all times.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows a horizontal partial section through the front
bearing assembly VL of guide bar 10, as seen in FIG. 1. One of the
two counter bearing shafts 40 is depicted in recess 16. The
substantially cylindrical counter bearing shaft 40 has a middle
portion 42 with a convex surface. It is adjoined to the right and
left by cylindrical portions 44 accommodated in bearing shells 46.
Counter bearing shafts 40 are mounted in bearing shells 46 so as to
be rotatable about their longitudinal axis and axially fixed. The
height and depth of bearing shells 46 corresponds to the clear
height and depth of recesses 16, such that they are flush with the
side surfaces 10b of guide bar 10. Ball bearings, for example, can
be placed inside bearing shells 46. However, the bearings of
counter bearing shafts 40 in bearing shells 46 may also be sliding
bearings.
[0043] As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the length of counter bearing
shafts 40 with bearing shells 46 affixed thereto corresponds to the
length of recesses 16. This means that the unit comprising counter
bearing shafts 40 and bearing shells 46, which is used in the form
of a module, for example, is unable to cant or tilt inside recess
16. It requires only a small amount of axial play to enable
rotation of the support elements.
[0044] As already mentioned, support shaft 30 extending parallel to
guide bar 10 has protuberances 34. Protuberance 34, shown
schematically in FIG. 3, has grooves 36, likewise shown
schematically, that extend in the form of a thread. It suffices for
the transport function when only one thread groove 36 is disposed
on protuberance 34. However, there may also be more than one thread
groove 36. By changing the number or pitch of thread grooves 36,
while keeping the rotational speed of support shaft 30 constant, it
is possible to change the speed of transport.
[0045] FIG. 3 also shows that the curvature of the concave surface
of portion 42 of counter bearing shaft 40 matches the curvature of
convex protuberance 34. This ensures that protuberance 34 can
contact concave portion 42 of counter bearing shaft 40 at all times
along a line which extends in axial direction across its concave
surface, and hence that guide bar 10 is securely supported. This
line is interrupted by thread grooves 36, with the consequence that
protuberance 34 and concave portion 42 of counter bearing shaft 40
contact each other at several points along the line described
above. The number of these points of contact per line is determined
by the number and pitch of thread grooves 36.
[0046] Since at least two counter bearing shafts 40 are disposed in
each recess 16, there are at least two such lines of contact or
lines of contact points with the respective counter bearing shaft
40 for each protuberance 34.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the drive unit of the
drivable positive guidance mechanism for support shaft 30 in the
transfer device according to the invention. The drive essentially
consists of two transmissions G1, G2 that are coupled to each other
by means of a connecting shaft W. Each of transmissions G1, G2 has
an output journal, which is connected by a transfer element K to
one of support shafts 30.
[0048] As FIG. 4 shows, the two transmissions G1, G2 are arranged
in a horizontal plane above guide bar 10. They are coupled to each
other, preferably with a fixed rotational speed, by connecting
shaft W. Transmission G1 has a drive journal A oriented
horizontally to the left, for introducing a torque, which is
transferred to drive journal A by an electric motor, for example,
to transmission G1. Transmission G2 is coupled to transmission G2,
which is of substantially identical design, by the horizontally
oriented connecting shaft W, which preferably transfers the same
rotational speed to transmission G2 as is introduced to
transmission G1 by drive journal A.
[0049] Transmissions G1, G2 each have an output shaft aligned
horizontally and at right angles to drive journal A and to
connecting shaft W, on each of which output shafts a drive element
Z1, such as a gear wheel or a pulley, is mounted. Transmissions G1,
G2 are also configured in such a way that drive elements Z1 of
transmissions G1, G2 and drive elements Z2 of shaft 30 lie in one
plane. Transfer element K, such as a chain or belt, connects drive
elements Z1 of transmissions G1, G2 to drive elements Z2 of support
shafts 30. The direction of rotation of drive elements Z1 of
transmissions G1, G2 is the same as the direction of rotation R of
drive elements Z2 of support shaft 30.
[0050] Transmissions G1, G2 are preferably gear drives with a fixed
transmission ratio, but they may also be formed by other types of
transmission, such as friction, hydraulic or pneumatic drives.
Further adjustment of the rotational speed of support shafts 30 is
possible by altering the diameter of, and/or the number of teeth on
drive elements Z1, Z2.
[0051] The front and rear bearing assemblies VL, HL in which guide
bar 10 is floatingly mounted are each formed by a pair of opposite
protuberances 34 and the counter bearing elements 40 with which
protuberances 34 are in contact. In other words, guide bar 10 is
not fixedly connected to any other component of the transfer device
or of the machine frame.
[0052] On its end faces 10c, guide bar 10 may have receiving means
which permit direct or indirect connection of upstream or
downstream devices. Such receiving means may be formed by
form-locking guides, such as dovetail guides, cylinder guides or
rectangular block guides. It is likewise possible to provide
threaded holes in the smooth end faces 10c of guide bar 10 in order
to fix components or devices to guide bar 10 by means of screws, or
to provide these in addition to the guides described above, for
example as safety elements.
[0053] FIG. 5 shows such a device 80, in the form of a screw
conveyor, that can be connected to the upstream side of guide bar
10. To adapt the different cross-sections of guide bar 10 to screw
conveyor 80, an intermediate element 60 is interposed therebetween.
This intermediate element preferably consists of the same material
as guide bar 10.
[0054] End face 62 of intermediate element 60, pointing in the
direction of transport T and shown as free in FIG. 4, has the same
cross-section as guide bar 10. In the opposite direction to the
direction of transport T, intermediate element 60 extends from its
guide bar end in an upward arcuate curve. Its cross-section changes
almost continuously from square to circular, wherein the screw
conveyor end terminates in a horizontally oriented, substantially
cylindrical peg. Along said arcuate curve, the top side of
intermediate element 60 forms an upwardly curving plane in which
two grooves 70 running parallel in the direction of transport T are
incorporated.
[0055] Intermediate element 60 is fixed with its end face 62 to the
rear end face 10d of guide bar 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Two parallel
perpendicular grooves 64 extend in end face 62 of intermediate
element 60. In addition, through holes 66 extending horizontally in
the direction of transport T are disposed vertically one above the
other between grooves 64. End faces 10d of guide bar 10 have two
projections which match grooves 64 and which engage in grooves 64
to produce a form-locking connection. In addition, intermediate
element 60 is secured with two screws that are guided through
through-holes 66 and screwed into matching threaded holes in end
face 10d of guide bar 10. In the assembled state, grooves 70 of
intermediate element 60 pass without transition into grooves 14 of
guide bar 10.
[0056] As already mentioned, the rear, horizontally extending end
of intermediate element 60, in relation to the direction of
transport T, has a circular cross-section. A through hole 68
beginning between the right-hand ends of grooves 70 in FIG. 1
extends horizontally in the opposite direction to the direction of
transport T. Screw conveyor worm 80 is connected to the right-hand,
rear end of intermediate element 60 as seen in FIG. 5. For this
purpose, the cylindrical end is inserted into a matching recess in
the end face of screw conveyor 80 and is secured against slipping
out or rotating by a screw (not shown) that is guided through
through-hole 68.
[0057] In operation, a sausage-shaped product that is finished in
the clipping machine and provided with a suspension loop is
suspended from screw conveyor 80 and transported away from the
clipping machine. At the end of screw conveyor 80 facing in the
direction of transport T, the sausage-shaped product suspended by
the loop slides along intermediate element 60 until it reaches the
rear end of guide bar 10. In the process, the loop is successively
looped around screw conveyor 80, intermediate element 60 and guide
bar 10.
[0058] On a chain conveyor disposed parallel to and above guide bar
10, gripping elements (not shown) are guided in such a way that
their two hook elements arranged parallel to each other move
initially through grooves 70 at a first deflection point of the
chain conveyor. At a chain conveyor section connected thereto and
extending parallel to guide bar 10, the hook elements are guided
horizontally through grooves 14 of guide bar 10. During this
movement, the hook elements are in a position for receiving and
holding the loops, i.e., their bottom ends extend parallel with and
in grooves 70, 14 of intermediate element 60 and of guide bar
10.
[0059] Due to the conveying movement of the chain conveyor, the
sausage-shaped product is moved forwards along guide bar 10 in the
direction of transport T and passes bearing assemblies VL, HL of
guide bar 10. As described in the foregoing, guide bar 10 is held
by the convex protuberances 34 that engage in recesses 16 of guide
bar 10. The protuberances 34 fixedly connected to support shafts 30
rotate with support shafts 30. Protuberances 34 have grooves 36
that extend in the form of threads along their surface. Since the
loop moves between two adjacent raised portions of thread grooves
36, transportation of it is not impeded, but additionally
benefited, during movement of the loop through bearing assemblies
VL, HL, by the counter bearing shafts 40 which are in contact with
the outer circumference of protuberances 34.
[0060] At the front end of guide bar 10, in relation to the
direction of transport T, another device (not shown) for receiving
the sausage-shaped products may be connected, such as a smoking rod
in a suitable holding means. In order to hold such a device
securely in place, end face 10c of guide bar 10 may have a
corresponding receiving means, such as grooves, or projections
which serve as a support.
[0061] The guide bar 10 described in the embodiment described in
the foregoing has two grooves 14 extending along its top side.
However, it is basically possible to provide only one groove, or
more than two grooves 14.
[0062] It is also conceivable, especially when the guide bar is
very long or when the sausage-shaped products are heavy, that more
than two bearing assemblies VL, HL are provided for guide bar 10,
in order to prevent the latter from sagging.
[0063] Unlike in the embodiment shown, the opposite protuberances
of a bearing assembly VL, HL may also be arranged offset from each
other along guide bar 10, wherein secure mounting of guide bar 10
remains assured. The number of protuberances 34 may also vary. In
the simplest case, it suffices to have two protuberances 34 that
engage in a side surface 10b of guide bar 10, and one protuberance
34 that engages in the opposite side surface 10b of guide bar
10.
[0064] However, it is likewise possible to arrange more than two
protuberances 34 offset from each other on either side of guide bar
10, or to provide only one protuberance 34 that extends across the
entire length of guide bar 10. In this way, solely by means of
protuberances 34 with their thread-shaped grooves 36, it is
possible to transport the sausage products, suspended by their
suspension elements from guide bar 10, along guide bar 10.
[0065] However, the two bearing units 30, 34; 40, 42 of a front and
rear bearing assembly VL, HL can also be designed in such a
simplified form that only two counter bearing shafts 40 arranged
vertically one above the other are provided, in which the support
shaft elements 30, 34 of the two opposite support shafts 30 engage.
In that case, only one recess extending between the side surfaces
10b of guide bar 10, and in the middle of which recess the two
counter bearing shafts 40 are vertically arranged one above the
other, is provided in each bearing assembly VL, HL, not two
opposite recesses 16.
[0066] Guide bar 10 of the above embodiment is horizontally
oriented. However, the proposed bearing assemblies VL, HL also
permit the guide bar 10 to be oriented at an almost arbitrary angle
to the horizontal, for example to overcome differences in height
between machinery components. In such a case, it is then
advantageous to also orient the chain conveyor carrying the hook
elements at the respective angle.
[0067] However, the transfer device according to the invention is
not limited to the proposed application of transferring
sausage-shaped products. In principle, any products provided with
an appropriate loop-shaped suspension element can be transported
and transferred by the device.
* * * * *